Winter Wonderland

I'm gonna get you!

Tonight was the Pennypickle's Workshop Winter Wonderland.  We scrounged up all the pennies we could find so we could take Kyle to this fun event...and boy did Kyle have FUN!  =)  Upon arriving you bought tickets.  1 ticket = $1  Everything is then paid for in tickets.  We bought 15 tickets, and we had a lot of fun with that $15 tonight!

The first thing we did was take a family photo. Which was downloadable online. Let me know if you would like a copy, and I can email it.  It didn't turn out as great as I had hoped, but we don't have many photos of the 3 of us because Josh is always the one taking the photos, haha!  So, I will be happy with what we got.  ;o)

Josh, Beth, and Kyle ~ Dec 2011

After our photo I asked Kyle if he wanted to meet the Snow Princess, and he said yes....so off we went.  She was hidden away in a secret tent, where she individually meets with each family.  She gives each child a snowflake with a secret message on it.  Kyle's message was "You won a prize!"  So, Kyle won a cute little pin that says "imagine Temecula".  He thought that was pretty neat, and we promptly pinned it on his winter vest.  ;o)

Next we stood in line for the SNOW!  Yes, they had a machine that made real snow.  Kyle got to throw snowballs, and we even built a miniature snowman.  (And I really mean miniature, lol)

Would you like to throw one too?

Kyle has been asking to play in the snow ever since our visit to Tucson this month.  Mt. Lemmon was covered in snow, and he wanted to go play so bad!  We promised him we would take him to play in the snow in California...and we delivered that promise tonight.  ;o)

After our snow play, Josh took our picture with this cute sled that was playing music, had all kinds of lights and moving parts.  In fact the whole sled was moving around.  Pretty neat science experiment made by Mr. Pennypickle.  ;o)

They had a special "kids only" shop...where children under the age of 10 years old can go in and pick out a present for Mom and Dad for the cost of 5 tickets.  We weren't allowed in there...Kyle did this all on his own!  But what I heard them say was that they had examples out of each gift, and the child would pick what they wanted to "buy"....and they had wrapped ones all ready for the children to take (so that Mom and Dad don't know what it is, of course!).  Kyle came out of the room beaming with the biggest smile and handed me the gift that he chose.  I could tell he was so proud of himself for getting us something for Christmas.  In fact, he feel asleep in the car just before we pulled into the driveway...but the first thing he said when we got in the house was, "Where is the present?"  He wanted to put it under the tree....and he did.  Then he said, "You will wonder what it is going to be.  It is fragile."  What a sweet boy!

Here Mommy, I picked this for you and Daddy...it's a surprise!

We ended the night by getting a small bag of home baked cookies with our last 2 tickets, in which Kyle enjoyed munching on while Josh and I had our free glass of wine at Lorimar Winery.  (We are members there, so we get a free glass every visit...and we also get free tasting for our guests.)  So, if you are ever in town.... ;o)

Kyle had so much fun!  When we got in the car he immediately said, "I want to go there again."  The next adventure will be ice skating!  They have an outdoor ice rink that opened up tonight, and it brings back memories of when I lived in Salzburg, Austria.  Josh has never been ice skating before...so it will be so fun to take both of my boys for their first time!  What a charming little town, I just love living here!!!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas....

For the first time since my Mom passed away, I am truly feeling the holiday spirit all on my own this year.  Mom passed away 8 years ago... on November 23, 2003.  It's always a tough time around the holidays, but I can't help but remember all the wonderful memories Mom created through her decorations and holiday spirit.  It wasn't until this year that I was able to put up Mom's hand made decorations.  She was so crafty, and made almost all of her decorations!

We started with the tree, which we were gifted last year by some dear friends of ours.  It was such a blessing last year, and continues to be a blessing for us this year.  Kyle helped me decorate the tree with ornaments my Mom hand crafted, as well as ornaments that Josh and I have acquired over our years together.  Josh held Kyle up to put the angel on the top....this was my Mom's angel, that she put on the tree every year.  I don't have a memory of Christmas without this angel up top of the tree.

Our beautiful tree!

One of the first things Kyle said when we got the tree all decorated was, "I want presents under this tree."    ;o)  I can't wait until there are packages under the tree for Kyle.  It will be fun to watch Kyle's excitement grow as we get closer to Christmas day.  I want to get Kyle a chocolate advent calendar, so he can understand the countdown to Christmas day a little easier.  I loved those when I was a kid!  =)  The other thing Kyle has requested:  "I want a big train around that tree.  Okay Mommy?"  We'll see about that.....  ;o)

I took out some of Mom's other decorations, and put them up around the house {for the first time}.  I put on Christmas music while decorating, and truly felt the spirit of Christmas in my heart this year while preparing for the season.  It makes me feel so good to have holiday cheer around the house, and to leave joyful holiday memories for my beautiful son.  His eyes danced with excitement as he turned on the tree lights.  And he giggles at all the Santas around the house.  Maybe it is moving locations, maybe it is less stress, maybe it is 'letting go', or 'letting in'....or maybe all of the above.....whatever it is, it feels like Christmas this year in our home!  All I know is that it's time for this Mommy to create beautiful holiday memories for my beautiful child... just as my Mom did for me.  I feel ready!  =)

Holiday friends above the fireplace.

Mom's hand made Santa.

Another one of Mom's hand made decorations.

Mom made the snowman, and we bought that little tree together many years ago.

"Music Shop" all lit up, and a Christmas rocking horse.

I am thinking of my Mom this year and all of the wonderful memories from my childhood.  She was the best Mom I could have ever asked for, and she was my best friend!  I miss her more than words can express, but her love and memories fill my heart every day.

Happy Holidays!!!

Sea World Christmas 2011

One of the perks of living in Southern California is being close enough to have a membership to Sea World!  (At least I see that as a perk, lol!)  We made the journey down to San Diego on November 18, 2011 for their special members only event.  This was their special kick off for their Christmas Celebration.  As a member we got a special green glass blown turtle ornament, which is now hanging on  our tree.  We saw Mrs. Clause, real reindeer, played in real snow...Kyle sledded.... and we watched their special holiday Shamu show complete with fireworks at the end.  It was a very busy crowd that night, but it was fun to enjoy the festivities of the holiday season.  Here are some photos from the night.  Enjoy!  =)

Sea World Sky Tower

Kyle, Mrs. Clause, & a very happy Elf

Mommy & Son

Sledding in real snow at Sea World, San Diego!  ;o)

Daddy & Son waiting for the Shamu Show to start

Watching the fireworks show...look at his big eyes!  Makes a Mother's heart dance!

Leaving 2009 behind and starting 2010 .... and almost 18 months old!

I know, it has been a LONG time since I've written, so it's time to catch up a little!  I'll try to do the best that I can, but it's been a while, so I might forget things here and there....the last time I wrote was before Thanksgiving!  Here I go...

Kyle got his 11th tooth on November 19th, and his 12th tooth on November 22nd.  So, his teeth were just coming in one after the other there for a while!  He is currently teething...working on another 4 teeth all at the same time.  They are his "cuspid" teeth that are all trying to come in right now.  Then he has his last set of molars and he will be done!  He'll have a full mouth of teeth, amazing!  It seems like he was just born, gosh it goes fast!

Here's a cute picture of Kyle helping Mommy vacuum.  I'm not sure I ever shared this photo, but it's too cute not to post.  :)

Kyle helping Mommy vacuum.  :)  This was in September 2009, and Kyle was 13 months old.

Kyle in his cute winter sweater.  16 months old

Say Cheese....actually, I think he was eating egg.  :)  16 months old

We had Thanksgiving at our good friends Lori and Skip's house (as has been the tradition for the past few years).  My dad celebrated Thanksgiving out in California with his brother this year.  Now that we have Josh's family in AZ, we did a Thanksgiving dinner here at our house as well.  There was lots to be thankful for this last year, including our new nephew Xander!  :)

We had photo shoot in November, Kyle was almost 14 months old.  We used a couple of the photos for our Christmas cards, so many of you might recognize those.  :)  Photos at a park with a lake at 14 months was definitely a challenge.  Kyle wanted to play in the water, and it was 9am and in the shade.  It was chilly!  He did end up muddy and wet by the end of it, and we took him home in a diaper!  Mommy didn't really plan for a change of clothes, oops!  I'll know for next time!  :)  These are only a few of many adorable shots we got of Kyle.

The Buchanan Family (Kyle 14 months old)

It was our first Christmas in AZ this year, and my first Christmas without my family.  We had Christmas here at our house, and I cooked breakfast for my in-laws.  I made my mom's recipe for "jelly pancakes", bacon, eggs, fruit, and bagels.  It was a nice morning of the kids (Kyle and Xander) opening their toys...and us adults enjoying each others company over breakfast.  :)

Our Christmas Tree...isn't it pretty?!!!

Kyle slept in Christmas morning and was a little shy at first...that didn't last but a minute....

Kyle was 17 months old this Christmas

Kyle playing with his new "house" toy.

Opening packages...

More packages....

Kyle's baby cousin Xander.

Kyle taking his new bike for a spin.  :)

Proof that I made breakfast for the family.  :)

Merry Christmas 2009 From the Buchanan Family!

A couple days after Christmas some of Josh's family went to the Desert Museum with Josh's Uncle Lee and his wife, who were visiting from Oregon for the holidays.  Here's a picture of Kyle from that trip.

So, I think that covers Christmas.  In December Josh and I took Kyle up Mt. Lemmon to play in the snow.  Here are a couple photos from that trip.  Isn't he just the cutest!!????  He LOVED the snow!!!!

So, that brings us pretty current.  The only other huge thing that happened, was on January 12, 2010...Kyle pooped in the toilet for the first time.  I think it was kinda a fluke, but hey, it was exciting!!!  He was in the bath tub and by using his body language he let us know that he needed to go poop (he was even pointing at the toilet!).  We put the kid seat on the big toilet, Kyle on the toilet, and there you have it!  We have not done any other potty training since...I really don't think he's fully ready for it.  When he's ready, we will proceed...but he is awfully young and we don't want him to feel pressured.  He will do it in his own time.  :)

We have been shopping at local farmer's markets for the past few months, after watching the film Food, Inc.  We have changed the way we eat and shop!  I highly recommend watching that film, it is an eye opener!!!

Kyle will be 18 months old on the 26th...so only a few more days to go!  I can't believe how fast this last year and a half has flown by!  I have finally started going to the gym every day to work out.  I am determined to get back to my sexy self from a few years ago.  :)  Unfortunately I can't blame all the fat on "baby fat", because I lost all my pregnancy pounds in the first 6 weeks of Kyle's life from nursing him.  So...it's all me....and I am determined to get it off this year before my 30th Birthday!  I am already showing progress, and am very excited for the wonderful year ahead!!  Happy 2010!!!